Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam dam
Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam
Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam, also known as Twin Lakes Reservoir, is a vital infrastructure in Cook County, Illinois, designed to mitigate flood risks along the Salt Creek. Completed in 1987 by TORNROSE, CAMPBELLANDASSOC., this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 3000 feet, providing a storage capacity of 775 acre-feet. The dam serves a primary purpose of flood risk reduction and also supports recreational activities in the area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam poses a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as moderate risk. Despite its critical role in protecting the surrounding community from flooding events, the dam's condition assessment is not available, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. With a spillway width of 32 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1300 cubic feet per second, the dam is well-equipped to handle significant water flow during peak periods.
Located in Palatine, Illinois, Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam is a key component of the region's water resource management infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and extreme weather events, the dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems along the Salt Creek watershed. Its strategic design and operational oversight by the Natural Resources Conservation Service demonstrate a commitment to resilience and preparedness in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows | 9 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 6 cfs | → |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elk Grove Village | 645 cfs | → |
| Weller Creek At Des Plaines | 1 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Des Plaines | 316 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam.
Boat launches
- East Higgins Road Elk Grove Township
- Beck Lake Boat Launch
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- North Branch Red Paved Trail Northfield
- Picnic Grove Park
Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
Fishing spots
Track Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam
Where does the data for Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Upper Salt Creek Structure 4 Dam.